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What Works to Clean Mildew Off Walls in a Garage?

Mold and mildew are particularly hard to eradicate from the garage since they love the dark, moist conditions there. Killing and cleaning the microorganisms that cause mildew is not hard, but they will grow back if you don’t take preventive measures. The perfect way to handle mildew is dependent upon the fabric of the walls in your garage — porous walls such as concrete and drywall are the most difficult to handle, particularly when unfinished.

Treat Mildew with Bleach

Chlorine bleach kills mildew and mould, and you’ll be able to use a solution of 1 part household bleach and 4 parts water to clean any wall surface. If your walls are bare wax, spray the solution on with a handheld sprayer allow it to soak in. Scrub concrete, wood paneling or vinyl planks with a sponge or scrub brush while wearing gloves. You’ll need to wear a respirator if you utilize this alternative, and you ought to keep the garage door open to allow air to circulate. Keep scrubbing until the discoloration caused by the mildew is eliminated.

Cleaning Unfinished Drywall

It is common to install drywall in the garage, and since it is subject to nicks and scrapes, many homeowners choose to leave it unfinished. When mold grows on the surface of bare drywall, you can’t be certain the infestation doesn’t extend all of the way through to the framing. Soaking the mildewed areas with a bleach solution and wiping off the discoloration is just a short-term remedy, but when the mildew yields rapidly, or you notice black mould developing, the most appropriate course of action is to eliminate the affected drywall. Then clean the framing, unlock it using something which contains a mildewcide, and install new drywall.

Cleaning Finished Surfaces and Exposed Framing

When mold grows on a finished surface, such as painted drywall or vinyl paneling, you do not need to worry as much about a recurrence. Simply scrub the area and dry it. If your garage has unfinished walls as well as the framing is exposed, you may have a tricky time reaching into corners between the studs and the exterior wall. Use a sprayer to saturate the wood, and scrub hard-to-reach areas with a toothbrush. It is important to kill all of the mildew to prevent the colony from growing back, so spray liberally and scrub thoroughly.

Cleaning Alternatives and Mildew Prevention

White vinegar is an acid which inhibits the growth of mildew, and you’ll be able to use it as an alternative to bleach. Mix a 1-to-1 alternative with water, and add a tablespoon of dish washing detergent per quart of option. You could also kill mould with isopropyl or denatured alcohol — simply spray or dab it on full strength. Mildew loves the humidity of an unheated garage, so in the event that you don’t want it to grow back, then you need to dry out your garagedoor. Keep a window or door available to promote air circulation, and run a space heater or a dehumidifier.

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